Beautician&#39;s module and method of making same



Aug. 23, 1966 J. M. SAGGIONE 3,267,881

BEAUTICIAN'S MODULE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed July 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 do 8 7 68 64 [i0 66 INVENTOR JOHANNA M SAGGIONE 1966 J- M. SAGGIONE 3,267,881

BEAUTICIAN'S MODULE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed July 6, 1964 v HZ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 106- lilie- INVENTOR JOHANNA M. SAGGIONE P 3,267,881 Ice Patented August 23, 1966 3,267,881 BEAUTICIANS MODULE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Johanna M. Saggione, 4340 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn, Ill. Filed July 6, 1964, Ser. No. 380,222 1 Claim. (Cl. Ills-50) The present invention relates to beauticians module and method of making same; and more particularly relates to a beauticians worktable which may be made up into different lengths comprising a plurality of modules forming work stations. No matter what length the assembled table is made, it is made up of modules of substantially identical configuration and structure.

The invention is characterized by a module of substantially the same plan form, which module comp-rises a partial unit of worktables or areas, or the like, which can be arranged in different arrangements and, by providing more or less modules, to different lengths to form a plurality of work stations where individual beauticians, hairdressers, and the like may serve their respective customers. The device is further characterized in that different stations formed by different of the modules can be provide-d with different equipment whereby different beauticians operations can be performed at different stations along a series of modules.

Previously used beauticians tables, and the like, have been limited in their adaptation in that they have required a substantial area in order to accommodate several patrons at the same time. As an example, presently known worktables have been extended linearly with respect to each other, and/ or have been placed adjacent partitions or walls which placement and/ or arrangement render a significant portion of the available work space relatively useless.

In addition to the foregoing disadvantages, previously known tables have availed a minimum work area in which a beautician may keep the equipment and supplies required for performing the several operations of a beautician, such as, cosmetic treatments, hair setting, hair drying, and the like.

It is common practice in many beauty salons for a patron to do other things than sit while her hair or face or the like are being treated. For example, it is common practice for patrons to manicure their nails, to read or write, or 'do crossword puzzles, etc., particularly while the hair is being set and dried, etc.

With the amount of table space provided with presently known worktables and the like in beauticians parlors, it is necessary for the beautician to place materials and equipment on the table area in front of a patron, and accordingly need to reach in front of the patron while performing services. In other words, the usual floor space available for providing economical operation of a beauty salon has not been conducive in the past to providing sufiicient table area or work space for the beautician and also area on which a patron may keep manicuring equipment, magazines or the like for convenient usage while the beautician is serving the patron.

The present invention overcomes the above disadvantages while providing work area in a minimum of floor space, and also providing a maximum of table space. The individual modules of the present invention are arranged to be connected in substantially serpentine arrangement. Even though one or a few modules may be used conveniently in a smaller beauty salon, it is contemplated that the larger beauty salons will desire a large number of such modules connected end-to-end in serpentine manner to provide a plurality of modules in a minimum of linear space while still providing for maximum worktable area for the beautician and area for use by the patrons during the service period. In addition, it is convenient when hair dryers are used that a single dryer may be conveniently arranged to be used by more than one module while still employing commercially available dryers of known kind.

Assemblies of modules are found very convenient and an asset to salon owners or managers. In addition to compactness, each working area or station (module) is in view of the owner. There is also space provided for a cash drawer, appointment book, telephone, etc., so that beauticians need not leave the station or the patron as is the case in existing salons.

Accordingly it is a broad object of the invention to provide an improved beauticians module.

It is -a further object of the invention for providing an improved method for manufacturing improved beauticians modules.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a beauticians module of substantially arcuate plan-form configuration.

It is another object to provide arcuate shaped modules which can be arranged end-to-end to provide maximum beauticians work area in a minimum of linear space.

It is a further object in keeping with the invention to provide modules which can be arranged alternately opposite hand in substantially serpentine manner to provide a maximum number of work stations in a minimum of linear space.

It is a further specific object in keeping with the invention to provide modules for beauticians which are fabricated from a minimum amount of material.

It is a further object in keeping with the next proceeding object to provide a new method of manufacture of beauticians modules for forming a plurality of beauticians work stations.

The aforegoin-g and other objects and advantages of the present invention reside in details of construction and different arrangements of parts, and will be either obvious or pointed out in the following specification and claim as read in view of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of several modules arranged end-to-end to provide an alternated linear arrangement of beautician work stations;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a module;

'FIG. 3 is an elevational view projected from FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational view looking downwardly toward FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan View of a modification showing two modules connected together; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the method of manufacture of the module section shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and first of FIG. 1, a series of modules 10, of which eight are shown in this figure, are each substantially identical to each other in plan form. Each of the modules 10 has an arcuate top 12 shown extended through an angle of approximately degrees between the ends 13 thereof. It is to be understood that different dimensions radially in this respect may be desirable for different modules and for different adaptations, uses and requirements of different beauticians for different purposes, such as for setting hair or the like, or applying cosmetics, or for other purposes normally practiced in the art.

When hair drying comprises a part of the beauticians operation, conventional hair dryers 14 may be mounted conveniently on a post 16 on every other module 10. As indicated in the upper two modules 10 of FIG. 1, the dryer 14 may be pivoted around the post 16 to position 14a where it can be used by the occupant of the second module from the top module, as shown. The details of construction in this regard will be explained more fully below. As shown in FIG. 1 there is a second hair dryer 14 applied to the third module down from the top of the drawing and this can likewise be swung down to service the patron at the fourth module. No dryers are shown at the lower four modules and these stations may be used for other purposes wherein drying is not required. However, if drying is required in each of the stations there could be two more dryers than the two shown to accommodate for each of the eight modules shown in FIG. 1. Of course, each module may have an individual dryer, if required.

Inasmuch as the majority of beauticians are righthanded, the patron may occupy a chair at the dotted line position 18 and have the upper table area available for use. In this case the beautician will physically occupy the dotted line area 20 and have the lower part of the top module 10 available. In addition to this area of the top module 10, there is extra area provided by the next succeeding module 10 that is usable by the first and/ or second beautician, with both being right-handed. Other space is provided by a shelf and a drawer to be described below. It is to be noted that both ends of the assembly of FIG. 1 are arranged to be used by right-handed beauticians. In this way, walls or partitions adjacent the ends of the assembly will cause sacrifice of the least floor space.

For further details of construction reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view with parts in substantially the same position as shown in the upper module 10 of FIG. 1. As indicated in FIG. 2 the patron will have use of the area 22 of the table top of module 10 and the beautician will have use of the area 24 when the operator is right-handed. However, when the operator is left-handed, the operator will occupy and use the area 22 whereas the patron will use the area 24. As shown, there is a drawer 26 which is carried on a shelf 28 and guided by an end 30 at the right-hand side, and

guided by an end 32 at the left-hand side of the module 10. The opposite edge of the drawer 26 is guided either by a strip 34 or a strip 36, and is interchangeable between the position shown to the left-handed position shown in which latter position it is guided by the end 32 and the strip 36 for use by a left-handed operator.

It is to be noted that there is a substantial space 38 in this worktable available to the patron, in which space magazines and purse or other packages may be placed by the patron. The end panels 30 or 32 may carry electrical terminal boxes 40, only one of which is shown on the end panel 30. The several modules can be electrically wired and interconnected so as to provide for lights, cigarette lighter, current for the hair dryer 14, a radio, or other devices necessary or convenient for operator and patron. All of such appliances can be wired through concealed wiring between the several modules 10 by conventional known means, not shown.

Each module 10 is equipped normally with at least three legs 44. Of course, more legs can be provided; however, the modules between end-modules need only three to provide suflicient stability for convenient assembly and to resist substantial downward forces which may be occasioned by a patron or operator leaning upon the top of a module. For end modules 10, or for single modules used alone, additional legs 46 may be provided to provide suitable stability. Accordingly an end module such as top module 10 shown in FIG. 1, would be equipped with four legs. The lowermost module would also be equipped with four legs, not shown, and be identical to the top module shown in FIG. 1. An alternate module construction can comprise two legs 46 and the front center leg 44 to accommodate dilferent center of gravity C.G. locations. Single modules would be equipped with three or more legs 44 as well as two legs 46 to assure stability around the center of gravity C.G. of the module 10 for unit use removed and separated from other modules. Each leg 44, as well as legs 46, may be equipped with known adjustable ends 48, or the like, to provide for leveling the modules. Each leg is also further secured to the bottom of the tops of the modules by a suitable ferrule 50, or the like, connected to the under-surface of the top 10.

The dryers 14 are preferably carried on swingable arms 50, that may be extensible and retractable, raised and lowered in known manner, if desired. For example, the post 16 may be extensible up and down, and suitable parallelogram arrangements, could be used to accommodate the hair dryers 14. It is of significance in this invention that the dryers 14 be at least swingable between position such as 14b adjacent the third module to an out-of the-way position as indicated at 14 in the top module; and that top illustrated dryer 14 be swingable, as mentioned above, to the position 14a for use bythe patron at the second module from the top of FIG. '1.

It is preferred that each of the modules be provided with a mirror 55, that may be of any suitable construction, and which may be mounted on a pair of standards 56 suitably secured to the top surface of each of the modules. With the mirror 55 positioned as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it is conveniently available for use by both the patron and the beautician.

Referring now for other details of construction to FIG. 4, the front view of the module looking down towards FIG. 2 is shown. A suitable skirt 60 is preferably provided extending a distance down from the top surface 12 of the module 10 so as to provide support for the end panels 32 supporting the shelf 28 as well as concealing ferrules 51b and the electric equipment, and other connections that may be desired in each module. To effect desirable motifs, while retaining economy of manufacture, the skirt 6% may be fabricated of thin plywood, and be painted, stained and varnished, or vinyl coated. Inasmuch as the skirt 611 is curved its strength is increased. The skirt also can extend downwardly more than shown, as desired, to provide additional strength as well as shield the space beneath the module 10. End modules and intermediate modules may be provided with panels, if desired, in known manner.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a means and method for assembling the modules 11} conveniently at the time of installation of same is shown. Modules 11) are adapted to abut snugly along a line -62 at their ends 13. Although several means of aligning and securing the module ends may be utilized, it is preferred in the present modification wherein an abrasion and heat-resistant plastic cover 64 are utilized over a plywood top 66, that metal dowels 68 be suitably secured thereinto in a manner well known in table making. Two or more pairs of dowels 63 may cooperate with metal pins 71) to align the tops to provide a smoothly jointed surface adjacent abutment line 62, which surface is available for use by either operator or patron without presenting a substantial break in the flat and smooth contour of the top of adjoining modules. A suitable cleat fastening mechanism '75 may be made up of a pair of J straps 76, secured by screws 73 to fasten edges of the tops of the modules by means of a double-return bend strap 89. The strap may be a drive fit over the free ends of the J straps to snugly secure the edges along the line 62 with the same being guided by the dowels pins 711 in the aligned dowels 68.

Referring now to a second modification of the invention attention is directed to FIG. 6 wherein a pair of modules 1% are shown joined together along an abutting line 102 to form a unit comprising two identical modules arranged oppositehand. Each module 1156 has at least three legs 1114 spaced around the table 1011 center of gravity CG. 2. When succeeding intermediate modules are used, the intermediate modules only require the three gs 10% IO assure Stability of all the modules in an as sembly. When only two modules 100 comprises a hairdressers unit for two operators, additional legs 106 are provided to afford stability at front corners 107 of the modules. Of course a single module 100, used alone, will require an additional leg 106a for complete stability, and more than five legs can be used, if desired.

It is to be noted that front edges 108 and rear edges 110 of each module 100 differ from the module shown in FIGS. 1-4, inasmuch as the edges 108 and 110 are not parallel to each other but are curved around equal radii or center points. This construction is preferred for economy of material wherein either vinyl to be used to make a module is relatively expensive, or when an inexpensive end-product is desirable. It is to be noted that the ends 112 of succeeding modules are parallel to each other as well as long the junction line 102, thereof.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of making modules such as shown in FIG. 6, for example. It is to be noted that the edges 112a of a strip of stock 120 may comprise the edges 112 of the modules 100. Accordingly, to fabricate the modules 100 of FIG. 6 most economically it is only necessary to select strip stock having a width W that is the same as the width between the edges 112 of the modules 100. Separate module tops can be then cut off along lines 115, after being advanced a given distance, such as two feet when the width W is 6 feet. After each step of two feet advance of the stock, a swing-saw or the like can be rotated along lines-of-cut 115 around a center of rotation point 125 to form both the [front edge 108 and the rear edge 110. Each succeeding cut 115, except the first and last on a piece of stock 120, will form front and rear module edges 108 and 110. It is to be noted that the only waste stock need be the front corners 122 and the rear end 124 of the stock 120.

While I have shown in detail a preferred modification and an alternate modification of the present invention, and a method for fabricating the alternate modification, obviously other modifications and fabricating steps will occur to others skilled in the art. Accordingly, I wish not to be limited only to specific details and arrangement of parts and the particular manner of making said alternate modification, but by the spirit and scope of the subjoined claim.

I claim:

A worktable for use by a beautician comprising, a plurality of modules having generally horizontal tops, the

top of each of the modules having a pair of spaced arcuate edges disposed in parallel alignment, the top of each of the modules having an additional pair of edges connecting the pair of spaced arcuate edges, each of the plurality of modules being provided with a support means connected to the top for supporting the top a predetermined distance above a floor, the plurality of modules being assembled with the additional edges of one of the modules in abutting contact with the additional edges of the abutting modules end-to-end to produce a continuous serpentine configuration consisting of a plurality of interconnected S-shapes, each of the modules being releasably secured to abutting adjacent modules to produce a rigid structure, each of the S-shapes providing a plurality of alternately opposed work areas in linearly spaced relation, and operative means pivotally connected to the top of every other module of the serpentine configuration and along an edge thereof in a manner permitting a beautician to utilize the operative means in a work area on one side of the worktable and in an adjacent work area on the other side of the table.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 788,715 5/1905 Greenfield 312-1403 1,659,572 2/1928 Klemm 10823 X 1,918,516 7/1933 Brown 144326 1,965,341 7/1934 Houston 144-326 2,031,304 2/1936 Eller 10823 2,296,782 9/ 1942 Fisher et a1. 108-64 2,489,933 11/ 1949 Schwartz 10864 2,612,421 9/1952 Bargen 312198 2,658,810 11/1953 Ellis et a1. 312198 2,661,994 12/ 1953 Knuth 1081 14 2,752,215 6/1956 Peiss 312-111 2,930,665 3/1960 Buadi 10864 3,053,598 9/1962 Cheslow 108-64 FOREIGN PATENTS 623,607 3/ 1927 France.

958,506 2/ 1957 Germany.

528,379 10/ 1940 Great Britain.

122,424 8/ 1948 Sweden.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

F. K. ZUGEL, Assistant Examiner. 

